Trichomanes intricatum — Appalachian bristle fern
![Leaf: Trichomanes intricatum. ~ By Robbin Moran. ~ Copyright © 2024 Robbin Moran. ~ rmoran[at]nybg.org ~ Plant Systematics - www.plantsystematics.org/](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Hymenophyllaceae/trichomanes-intricatum-le-rmoran.jpg)
![Plant form: Trichomanes intricatum. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2024 Arthur Haines. ~ arthur.d.haines[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Hymenophyllaceae/trichomanes-intricatum-ha-ahaines.jpg)
Copyright: various copyright holders. To reuse an image, please click it to see who you will need to contact.
Facts
Appalachian bristle fern grows only on rocks in sheltered caves, pockets and crevices, and is very rare in New England. This is a highly unusual species in that sporophytes (the spore-bearing life stage) are unknown, and it exists only as moss-like mats of gametophytes that spread vegetatively to cover areas as large as a square meter (10 square feet).
Habitat
Cliffs, balds, or ledges, ridges or ledges
New England distribution
Adapted from BONAP data
Native: indigenous.
Non-native: introduced (intentionally or unintentionally); has become naturalized.
County documented: documented to exist in the county by evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
State documented: documented to exist in the state, but not documented to a county within the state. Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
Note: when native and non-native populations both exist in a county, only native status is shown on the map.
Found this plant? Take a photo and post a sighting.
enlargeCharacteristics
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
-
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
-
Leaves
- Features of leaves
- there are no special features on the leaves
-
Place
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
-
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Specific habitat
-
- cliffs, balds, or ledges
- ridges or ledges
Wetland status
Not classified
In New England
Distribution
- Connecticut
- present
- Maine
- present
- Massachusetts
- present
- New Hampshire
- present
- Rhode Island
- absent
- Vermont
- present
Conservation status
Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.
- Connecticut
- unrankable (S-rank: SU), special concern (code: SC)
- Massachusetts
- extremely rare (S-rank: S1), endangered (code: E)
- New Hampshire
- historical (S-rank: SH), endangered (code: E)
- Vermont
- extremely rare (S-rank: S1)
From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key
1. Trichomanes intricatum Farrar NC
Appalachian bristle fern. CT, MA, NH, VT. Growing on basic and acidic rock in sheltered caves, pockets, and crevices.